Mechatronic Systems

Mechatronics is not a word you will find in most dictionaries. It's brand new like the curriculum program offered only at Central Carolina Community College. This new program fuses the principles of mechanical, electronic, industrial and computer engineering technologies. The graduate in mechatronics has skills highly sought after in today's modern industrial settings.

Mechatronics is the basis for all forms of modern product design. The basic concept of mechatronics is to apply electronic and computer control to mechanical devices in order to obtain new levels of performance. Examples of mechatronic technology are seen in consumer products like robotic vacuums, DVD players and automobiles.

Jobs are available

Companies need technicians that are trained in a range of technical fields. A degree in Mechatronics will give the graduate all the necessary training to land a good, rewarding, and well paying job.

Mechatronics graduates may be employed by companies in the high-technology manufacturing and servicing industries. Job titles held by graduates may include automation technician, automated equipment maintenance technician and mechatronics technician, engineering technician, design technician, or engineering assistant. There are excellent opportunities for career advancement to supervisory positions and beyond.

Graduates of the CCCC Mechatronics program may be employed locally, as well as in the Wake, Durham, and Research Triangle Park areas. Companies such as GKN, Moen, John Deere, Static Control, Magneti Marelli, and Pentair are all potential employers of mechatronics technicians. Some graduates may even be able to work at home as product or component designers.

According to Money Magazine, first-year salaries of mechatronics graduates can surpass the average salaries of university graduates. Starting salaries exceed $27,000 annually. With additional years of experience, graduates can expect to earn more than $35,000 annually.

Career paths in mechatronics

The future looks bright for mechatronics technicians. With additional education in business or management, opportunities abound for supervisory and leadership positions, along with the higher pay that accompanies these jobs.

If you already have a degree in mechanical, electronic, or computer engineering and need to widen your range of knowledge in one of the other engineering fields you can do this in the mechatronics curriculum. You may be surprised how easy it is for you to get another degree in mechatronics systems technology.

If you would like to be able to do it all, the Mechatronics Systems Technology program is for you!

What will you study?

Students learn the principles of mechanical design graphics, manufacturing, electronics, and basic computer engineering. Theory is put into practice as students work on a variety of hands-on projects ranging from designing golf clubs to interfacing electronic circuitry to a PC.

Central Carolina Community College offers students the benefit of state-of-the-art PCs with the latest in mechanical design software, simulation software, and automated test and control systems. In addition, small classes enable instructors to give personal attention to students.

Certificate, diploma and degree programs are available. Classes are offered at the Lee County Campus in Sanford. Program lengths vary, but are designed to be completed by full-time students in as little as two semesters up to two years.